Automotive lighting device and a vehicle having the same

ABSTRACT

An automotive lighting device includes a housing and at least one optical sensor disposed in the housing. The at least one optical sensor is configured to emit an optical signal and generating a data signal in response to a received reflected optical signal.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention is related to an automotive lighting device and avehicle having the same, and in particular, to an automotive lightingdevice including at least one optical sensor and a vehicle having thesame.

BACKGROUND

Recently, vehicle technology has undergone significant changes inautomotive electronics. Many assistant systems, for example,Lane-Departure-Warning, Collision-Avoidance-System, Brake-Assistants,and Traffic-Sign-Recognition, are provided to assist the driver torecognize potential hazards while driving or maneuvering a vehicle. Ingeneral, an assistant system of a vehicle requires sensors to providethe external surrounding information of the vehicle.

SUMMARY

The invention is directed to an automotive lighting device of a vehiclewhich integrates at least one sensor inside for detecting thesurrounding of the vehicle. The invention is further directed to avehicle using such an automotive lighting device.

According to one embodiment of the present invention, an automotivelighting device with external obstacle detection includes a housing andat least one optical sensor disposed in the housing. The at least oneoptical sensor is configured to emit an optical signal and generating adata signal in response to a received reflected optical signal.

According to one embodiment of the present invention, a vehicle withexternal obstacle detection includes a plurality of automotive lightingdevices installed surrounding on a body of the vehicle. Each of theautomotive lighting devices comprises a housing and at least one opticalsensor disposed in the housing. The at least one optical sensor isconfigured to emit an optical signal and generating a data signal inresponse to a received reflected optical signal. The data signalincludes information of an area external to the vehicle.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows an automotive lighting device installed on a vehicleaccording to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 shows the potential locations for disposing the optical sensor inthe automotive lighting device according to one embodiment of thepresent invention.

FIG. 3A shows a schematic diagram of the automotive lighting deviceincluding an optical sensor according to one embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 3B shows a schematic diagram of the automotive lighting deviceincluding a plurality of optical sensors according to one embodiment ofthe present invention.

FIG. 4A shows a block diagram of the vehicle according to one embodimentof the present invention.

FIG. 4B shows a block diagram of the vehicle according to one embodimentof the present invention.

FIG. 5A shows a schematic view of lightening areas of the automotivelighting devices, when the optical sensors of the automotive lightingdevices do not detect an obstacle according to one embodiment of thepresent invention.

FIG. 5B shows a schematic view of lightening areas of the automotivelighting devices, when the optical sensors of the automotive lightingdevices detect an obstacle according to one embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 6 shows a schematic diagram illustrating the vehicle moving inreverse according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7A shows a detection coverage of a vehicle according to oneembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7B shows a detection coverage of a vehicle according to oneembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7C shows a detection coverage of a vehicle according to oneembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8A shows a top view of detection coverage of a vehicle according toone embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8B shows a side view of detection coverage of the vehicle of FIG.8A according to one embodiment of the present invention.

In the following detailed description, for purposes of explanation,numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thoroughunderstanding of the disclosed embodiments. It will be apparent,however, that one or more embodiments may be practiced without thesespecific details. In other instances, well-known structures and devicesare schematically shown in order to simplify the drawing.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Below, exemplary embodiments will be described in detail with referenceto accompanying drawings so as to be easily realized by a person havingordinary knowledge in the art. The inventive concept may be embodied invarious forms without being limited to the exemplary embodiments setforth herein. Descriptions of well-known parts are omitted for clarity,and like reference numerals refer to like elements throughout.

FIG. 1 shows an automotive lighting device 100 installed on a vehicle 10according to one embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG.1, the automotive lighting device 100 includes a headlight of thevehicle 10, but the present invention is not limited thereto. In someembodiments, the automotive lighting device 100 includes a tail light.In some embodiments, the automotive lighting device 100 includes a foglight. In other embodiments, the automotive lighting device 100 includesa daytime running light. In other embodiments, the automotive lightingdevice 100 includes an indicator. In still other embodiments, theautomotive lighting device 100 includes a mirror mounted indicator.

The automotive lighting device 100 comprises a housing 102 and at leastone optical sensor 104 disposed in the housing 102. The housing 102 hasa transparent surface that allows light to pass through. The at leastone optical sensor 104 is configured to emit an optical signal andgenerating a data signal in response to a received reflected opticalsignal. In some embodiments, the at least one optical sensor 104includes a light detection and ranging sensor, for example a LIDAR. Theat least one optical sensor 104 can be disposed on a reflecting mirrorRM of the automotive lighting device 100, wherein the reflecting mirrorRM is configured to reflect the light emitted from the light source LSof the automotive lighting device 100.

Moreover, in some embodiments, a detection angle of the at least oneoptical sensor 104 includes below approximately 120° horizontally andvertically. In other embodiments, a detection angle of the at least oneoptical sensor 104 includes above approximately 120° horizontally andvertically. In still other embodiments, a detection angle of the atleast one optical sensor 104″ includes approximately from 0° to 180°horizontally and vertically.

It is understood that the location/number of the optical sensor 104shown in FIG. 1 is for illustrating purposes, not for restrictionpurposes, since the present invention may be implemented in manydifferent ways in accordance with practical needs as long as the opticalpath of the optical signal emitted from the optical sensor remainsunobstructed.

FIG. 2 shows a location for disposing the optical sensor 104 in theautomotive lighting device 100 according to one embodiment of thepresent invention. In this embodiment, the automotive lighting device100 comprises a first part R1 for headlight illumination and a secondpart R2 for indicator illumination. The location of the optical sensor104 is possible everywhere as long as the optical path of the opticalsignal (e.g. laser beam) remains unobstructed. As shown in FIG. 2, forexample, there are two locations for disposing the optical sensor 104.In this embodiment, one location is at the upper side of the reflectingmirror (RM) of the first part R1 and the other one is at the lower rightside of RM of the second part R2. However, the present invention is notlimited thereto. In some embodiments, the at least one optical sensor104 can be disposed in other locations of the automotive lighting device100 as long as the optical path of the optical signal emitted from theoptical sensor 104 remains unobstructed.

FIG. 3A shows a schematic diagram of the automotive lighting deviceincluding an optical sensor according to one embodiment of the presentinvention. As shown in FIG. 3A, in some embodiments, there is only oneoptical sensor 104 disposed in the housing 102 of the automotivelighting device 100.

FIG. 3B shows a schematic diagram of the automotive lighting deviceincluding a plurality of optical sensors according to one embodiment ofthe present invention. In another one embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3B,two optical sensors 104A and 104B are installed in the housing 102′ ofan automotive lighting device 100′. In this embodiment, the automotivelighting device 100′ comprises a first part R1′ for headlightillumination and a second part R2′ for indicator illumination, but thepresent invention is not limited thereto. The optical sensor 104A isdisposed at the upper side of the reflecting mirror RM′ of the firstpart R1′ whereas the optical sensor 104B is disposed at the lower rightside of the reflecting mirror RM′ of the second part R2′. The opticalsensors 104A and 104B emit optical signals and generating data signalsin response to received reflected optical signals.

FIG. 4A shows a block diagram of the vehicle 10 according to oneembodiment of the present invention. The vehicle 10 includes a pluralityof automotive lighting devices 100, a first control unit 110 and asecond control unit 120. As shown in FIG. 4A, the plurality ofautomotive lighting devices 100 respectively includes at least oneoptical sensor 104.

The at least one optical sensor 104 such as a LIDAR is configured toemit optical signals and generate data signals in response to receivedreflected optical signals.

The first control unit 110 coupled to the plurality of automotivelighting devices 100 is configured to control the at least one opticalsensor 104 in response to the data signal coming from the at least oneoptical sensor 104. In some embodiments, the first control unit 110includes a control circuit of a mirror sensor. In some embodiments, thefirst control unit 110 includes a control circuit of a laser sensor.

The second control unit 120 is respectively coupled to the first controlunit 110 and the automotive lighting device 100. The second control unit120, in some embodiments, includes, for example, a body control unit(BCU) of the vehicle 10. In some embodiments, the first control unit 110communicates with the second control unit 120 via an interface.Moreover, the interface includes, for example, Internet InformationServices (IIS), Sony/Philips Digital Interface Format (SPDIF), commoncontroller area network (CAN), local interconnect network (LIN) and allkinds of suitable communication interface.

The second control unit 120 is configured to determine whether anobstacle exists by analyzing the data signal coming from the at leastone optical sensor 104. Moreover, the second control unit 120 adjustsbrightness, light beam directions and focus of the automotive lightingdevice 100 in response to the data signal. In some embodiments, thesecond control unit 120 delivers an alert message when a distancebetween the vehicle and a detected obstacle is shorter than a thresholdvalue. The threshold value includes approximately, for example, 50meters.

Furthermore, in some embodiments, as shown in FIG. 4A, the secondcontrol unit 120 may provide the 2D/3D information, for example,position, size and distance, of the detected obstacle in response to thedata signal to the driver. In some embodiments, the second control unit120 may use 3D imaging technique to generate a 3D image of the detectedobstacle to the driver.

In some embodiments, the at least one optical sensor 104 communicateswith other components (e.g., the light source LS shown in FIG. 1) of theautomotive lighting device 100 via a common controller area network(CAN) bus. In other embodiments, the at least one optical sensor 104communicates with other components of the automotive lighting device 100via a local interconnect network (LIN) bus.

FIG. 4B shows a block diagram of the vehicle 10′ according to oneembodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 4B, the vehicle10′ is similar to the vehicle 10 of FIG. 4A but includes a control unit41. In this embodiment, the control unit 41 is coupled to the pluralityof automotive lighting devices 100. The control unit 41 is configured tocontrol the at least one optical sensor 104 in response to the datasignal coming from the at least one optical sensor 104, and determinewhether an obstacle exists by analyzing the data signal coming from theat least one optical sensor 104.

Moreover, brightness, light beam directions and focus of the automotivelighting device 100 are adjusted, in response to the data signal, by thecontrol unit 41. Furthermore, the control unit 41 delivers an alertmessage when a distance between the vehicle and a detected obstacle isshorter than a threshold value. The threshold value includesapproximately, for example, 50 meters.

In this embodiment, since the lighting device 100 and the at leastoptical sensor 104 are coupled to the control unit 41, there is one nodeneeded in communicating with other components via a network of thevehicle 10′.

Furthermore, in some embodiments, as shown in FIG. 4B, the control unit41 may provide the 2D/3D information, for example, position, size anddistance, of the detected obstacle in response to the data signal to thedriver. For example, the control unit 41 may use 3D imaging technique togenerate a 3D image of the detected obstacle to the driver.

FIG. 5A shows a schematic view of lightening areas LA of the automotivelighting devices 100, when the optical sensors 104 of the automotivelighting devices 100 do not detect an obstacle according to oneembodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 5A, when theoptical sensors 104 do not detect an obstacle, the brightness of theautomotive lighting devices 100 will be maintained at a first value anda coverage distance of the lightening areas LA is a distance DL.

FIG. 5B shows a schematic view of lightening areas LA′ of the automotivelighting devices, when the optical sensors of the automotive lightingdevices detect an obstacle according to one embodiment of the presentinvention. As shown in FIG. 5B, when the optical sensors 104 of theautomotive lighting devices 100 detect an obstacle 51 in front of thevehicle 10, the second control unit 120 of the vehicle 10 may raise upthe brightness of the automotive lighting devices 100 to enhance theillumination towards the detected obstacle 51. Therefore, the brightnessof the automotive lighting devices 100 may be raised up to a secondvalue and a distance of the lightening areas LA′ may extend to adistance DL′. In this embodiment, the distance DL′ is longer than thedistance DL.

FIG. 6 shows a schematic diagram illustrating the vehicle 10 moving inreverse. As shown in FIG. 6, an obstacle 61 is on a moving path of thevehicle 10. In this embodiment, the automotive lighting device 100′includes a tail light of the vehicle 10. As shown in FIG. 6, when thevehicle 10 moving in reverse towards the obstacle 61, a distance betweenthe automotive lighting device 100′ and the obstacle 61 is graduallyshorted. Therefore, in order to detect the distance, at least oneoptical sensor is disposed in the automotive lighting device 100′. Theat least one optical sensor emits an optical signal towards the obstacle61 and generate a data signal in response to a received reflectedoptical signal. The received reflected optical signal is generated inresponse the optical signal.

Moreover, the data signal includes information of the distance betweenthe automotive lighting device 100′ and the obstacle 61. When thedistance is shorter than a threshold value T, determined by the secondcontrol unit 120 of the vehicle 10, the second control unit 120 maydeliver an alert message to remind the driver to stop the vehicle 10.

FIG. 7A shows a detection coverage DC1 of the vehicle 10 of FIG. 1according to one embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG.7A, in this embodiment, the at least one automotive lighting device 100includes a headlight of the vehicle 10. The automotive lighting device100 includes at least one optical sensor 104 for detecting the space infront of the vehicle 10. In some embodiments, a horizontal detectionangle θ1 of the at least one optical sensor 104 includes belowapproximately 120°. In some embodiments, a vertical detection angle θ2of the at least one optical sensor 104 includes below approximately120°.

The distance coverage DL″ of the at least one optical sensor 104includes approximately, for example, 50 meters. Therefore, in thisembodiment, the optical sensor 104 emits an optical signal toward adetection coverage DC1. When an obstacle 71 is detected in the detectioncoverage DC1, a reflected optical signal is received by the at least oneoptical sensor 104 and a data signal is generated in response to thereceived reflected optical signal. Moreover, the driving assistantfunctions of the vehicle 10 will be activated to ensure safety of thedriver and the passengers.

FIG. 7B shows a detection coverage DC2 of a vehicle 10′ according to oneembodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, as shown inFIG. 7B, the vehicle 10′ is similar to the vehicle 10 of FIG. 7A but ahorizontal detection angle θ3 of at least one optical sensor 104′ of theat least one automotive lighting device 100 includes above approximately120°. In some embodiments, a vertical detection angle θ4 of at least oneoptical sensor 104′ includes above approximately 120°.

FIG. 7C shows a detection coverage DC3 of a vehicle 10″ according to oneembodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, as shown inFIG. 7C, the vehicle 10″ is similar to the vehicle 10 of FIG. 7A but ahorizontal detection angle θ5 of at least one optical sensor 104″ of theat least one automotive lighting device 100 includes approximately from0° to 120°. In some embodiments, a vertical detection angle θ6 of the atleast one optical sensor 104″ includes approximately from 0° to 120°.

FIG. 8A shows a top view of detection coverage of a vehicle 80 accordingto one embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 8A, aplurality of automotive lighting devices is installed on a body of thevehicle 80. The plurality of automotive lighting devices, in thisembodiment, includes headlights 800A and 800B, tail lights 800C and 800Dand mirror mounted indicators 800E and 800F.

As shown in FIG. 8A, θ7 indicates a horizontal detection angle of anoptical sensor of an automotive lighting device 800E, θ8 indicates ahorizontal detection angle of an optical sensor of an automotivelighting device 800B, and θ9 indicates a horizontal detection angle ofan optical sensor of an automotive lighting device 800D. In thisembodiment, the horizontal detection angle θ7 is below approximately120°. The horizontal detection angle θ8 is above approximately 120°. Thehorizontal detection angle θ9 is below approximately 120°.

FIG. 8B shows a side view of detection coverage of the vehicle 80 ofFIG. 8A according to one embodiment of the present invention. As shownin FIG. 8B, θ10 indicates a vertical detection angle of an opticalsensor of an automotive lighting device 800F, θ11 indicates a verticaldetection angle of an optical sensor of an automotive lighting device800B, and θ12 indicates a vertical detection angle of an optical sensorof an automotive lighting device 800D. In this embodiment, the verticaldetection angle θ10 is above approximately 120°. The vertical detectionangle θ11 is above approximately 120°. The vertical detection angle θ12is below approximately 120°.

Therefore, with an appropriate arrangement of the optical sensors, forexample, each of the automotive lighting devices 800A to 800F includingat least one optical sensor, the automotive lighting devices 800A-800Fare capable of providing 360° detection mechanism to the vehicle 80.Therefore, the automotive lighting devices installed on the vehicle 80are capable of providing surrounding detection to the vehicle 80.

In summary, the present invention discloses at least one optical sensorintegrated into an automotive lighting device. The optical sensor isconfigured to emit an optical signal and generate a data signal inresponse to a received reflected optical signal. Therefore, when aplurality of the automotive lighting devices is installed surrounding ona body of a vehicle, the automotive lighting devices are able to providesurrounding detection for the vehicle. Moreover, when an obstacleappears in coverage of the automotive lighting devices, a safetymechanism of the vehicle is activated for ensuring the safety of adriver and passengers in the vehicle. Moreover, the safety mechanismincludes stopping the vehicle which ensures the safety of thepedestrians.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that variousmodifications and variations can be made to the disclosed embodiments.It is intended that the specification and examples be considered asexemplary only, with a true scope of the invention being indicated bythe following claims and their equivalents.

What is claimed is:
 1. An automotive lighting device with externalobstacle detection, said automotive lighting device comprising: aheadlight disposed at a vehicle equipped with an external obstacledetection system; wherein said headlight comprises a housing thatcontains a light source operable to illuminate ahead of the equippedvehicle; wherein said external obstacle detection system comprises anoptical sensor; wherein said optical sensor is disposed in said housingof said headlight; wherein said optical sensor is operable to emit anoptical signal ahead of the equipped vehicle, and wherein a data signalis generated by said external obstacle detection system in response to areceived optical signal reflected back from an obstacle present ahead ofthe equipped vehicle; and wherein, responsive to generation of said datasignal indicative of presence of the obstacle ahead of the equippedvehicle, brightness of illumination by said light source ahead of theequipped vehicle is increased from a first brightness value to a highersecond brightness value to enhance illumination of the obstacle.
 2. Theautomotive lighting device of claim 1, wherein said optical sensorcomprises a light detection and ranging sensor.
 3. The automotivelighting device of claim 1, wherein said optical sensor is disposed at areflecting mirror contained in said housing of said headlight, andwherein said reflecting mirror is configured to reflect light emittedfrom said light source through a transparent surface of said headlight.4. The automotive lighting device of claim 1, wherein responsive togeneration of said data signal indicative of presence of the obstacleahead of the equipped vehicle, said light source changes a coveragedistance of a lighting area ahead of the equipped vehicle for enhancingillumination of the obstacle.
 5. The automotive lighting device of claim1, wherein brightness and at least one of (i) light beam direction and(ii) focus of said headlight is adjusted in response to generation ofsaid data signal indicative of presence of the obstacle ahead of theequipped vehicle.
 6. The automotive lighting device of claim 1, whereina detection angle of said optical sensor includes a degree from 0° to180° horizontally.
 7. The automotive lighting device of claim 1, whereina detection angle of said optical sensor includes a degree from 0° to180° vertically.
 8. A vehicular obstacle detection system, saidvehicular obstacle detection system comprising: a plurality ofautomotive lighting devices installed at a body of a vehicle equippedwith said vehicular obstacle detection system; wherein each of saidplurality of automotive lighting devices comprises a housing thatcontains a light source operable to illuminate exterior of the equippedvehicle; an optical sensor disposed at the equipped vehicle; whereinsaid optical sensor is operable to emit an optical signal exterior ofthe equipped vehicle and a data signal is generated in response to areceived optical signal reflected back from an obstacle present exteriorof the equipped vehicle; and a controller that is operable, responsiveto generation of said data signal indicative of presence of the obstacleexterior of the equipped vehicle, to increase brightness of illuminationby at least one of said plurality of automotive lighting devicesexterior of the equipped vehicle from a first brightness value to ahigher second brightness value to enhance illumination of the obstacle.9. The vehicular obstacle detection system of claim 8, wherein saidcontroller is operable, responsive to generation of said data signalindicative of presence of the obstacle exterior of the equipped vehicle,to extend a coverage distance of a lighting area by at least one of saidplurality of automotive lighting devices exterior of the equippedvehicle for enhancing illumination of the obstacle.
 10. The vehicularobstacle detection system of claim 8, wherein at least one of (i) lightbeam direction and (ii) focus of at least one of said plurality ofautomotive lighting devices is adjusted in response to generation ofsaid data signal to enhance illumination of the obstacle.
 11. Thevehicular obstacle detection system of claim 8, wherein a detectionangle of said optical sensor includes a degree from 0° to 180°horizontally.
 12. The vehicular obstacle detection system of claim 8,wherein a detection angle of said optical sensor includes a degree from0° to 180° vertically.
 13. The vehicular obstacle detection system ofclaim 8, further comprising a separate control configured to controlsaid optical sensor.
 14. The vehicular obstacle detection system ofclaim 8, wherein said controller is configured to adjust light beamdirection of at least one of said plurality of automotive lightingdevices in response to said data signal.
 15. The vehicular obstacledetection system of claim 8, wherein said controller is operable todeliver an alert message when a distance between the equipped vehicleand the obstacle exterior of the equipped vehicle is shorter than athreshold value.
 16. The vehicular obstacle detection system of claim 8,wherein said controller is operable, responsive to generation of saiddata signal indicative of presence of the obstacle exterior of theequipped vehicle, to generate a 3D image of the obstacle for displayingto a driver of the equipped vehicle.
 17. The vehicular obstacledetection system of claim 8, wherein one of said plurality of automotivelighting devices comprises said optical sensor disposed thereat.
 18. Thevehicular obstacle detection system of claim 8, wherein said opticalsensor is disposed at an upper portion of a reflecting mirror of one ofsaid plurality of automotive lighting devices, and wherein a secondoptical sensor is disposed at a lower portion of said reflecting mirror.19. An automotive lighting system for a vehicle, said automotivelighting device comprising: an automotive lighting device disposed at avehicle equipped with said automotive lighting system; wherein saidautomotive lighting device comprises a housing that contains a lightsource operable to emit a light beam exterior of the equipped vehicle; aLIDAR sensor disposed in said housing, wherein said LIDAR sensor isoperable to emit an optical signal exterior of the equipped vehicle andgenerate a data signal in response to a received optical signalreflected back from an obstacle present in a scanned field of said LIDARsensor exterior of the equipped vehicle; wherein said data signalgenerated by said LIDAR sensor is indicative of the presence andlocation of the obstacle in the scanned field exterior of the equippedvehicle; and a controller that is operable, responsive to generation ofsaid data signal by said LIDAR sensor, to at least one of (i) increasebrightness of illumination by said light source exterior of the equippedvehicle from a first brightness value to a higher second brightnessvalue for enhancing illumination of the obstacle and (ii) changecoverage distance of a lighting area exterior of the equipped vehiclegenerated by said light source for enhancing illumination of theobstacle.
 20. The automotive lighting system of claim 19, wherein saidautomotive lighting device comprises a headlight.
 21. The automotivelighting system of claim 19, wherein said controller is operable,responsive to generation of said data signal by said LIDAR sensor, to(i) increase brightness of illumination by said light source exterior ofthe equipped vehicle from a first brightness value to a higher secondbrightness value for enhancing illumination of the obstacle and (ii)change coverage distance of a lighting area exterior of the equippedvehicle generated by said light source for enhancing illumination of theobstacle.